Taro couldn't recover from the shocking information he received for a moment.
Seeing no reaction from Taro, Garp didn't waste words and swung his fist directly at him.
"Bang!"
Unprepared, Taro was smashed straight into the ground.
"Pah, pah! What are you doing, old fellow! I was just thinking about it!"
He spat out the dirt from his mouth, rubbed his head, and simply sat on the ground.
"Didn't Marine intelligence say Shanks was fighting Kid in the New World? Then it should take him several days to rush back to the East Blue to marry Makino, right?"
Garp glared at Taro and said resentfully:
"Where's that cleverness of yours from just now? If time were really that plentiful, would this old man need to stay in the East Blue all these days?"
"Huh? What do you mean?" Taro was a bit dazed.
"Their wedding date is set for the day after tomorrow!" Garp roared indignantly.
Seeing Taro still dazed, he continued,
"How much of a hindrance do you think that brat named Kid could cause Red Hair?"
Kid was certainly no match for Red Hair; the guy's arm had even been taken off by him!
"Uh... old fellow, I'm curious, how can Red Hair return so quickly in just two days?"
Actually, Taro had been puzzled by this for a long time!
It was the same during the Marineford War; the Red Hair Pirates' travel speed was simply ridiculous—stopping Kaido and still making it to Marineford to end the war.
Is it the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique?
Garp just gave Taro a flat look. "Since that guy set a date, he will definitely arrive! Why do you care so much?"
Taro scratched his hair; he was truly curious about Shanks.
However, the intelligence on Red Hair within the Marines was so scarce that it made Taro a bit suspicious!
He suddenly became one of the Four Emperors four years ago, and even the Gorosei give him Face.
The vigilance towards the Red Hair Pirates is also far less than towards the other Four Emperors.
All signs indicated that Red Hair and the World Government shared a certain level of understanding!
After thinking for a while, Taro said, "Then... old fellow, you've stayed in the East Blue for so many days, are you planning to...?"
"Although I don't want Makino to marry a pirate, I won't do anything to Red Hair either!"
Garp turned to look at the sea. "I just want to know what he said when he went to see those old fellows."
Taro's heart stirred, and he nodded repeatedly.
"Mhm, exactly, old fellow, we should definitely ask. I want to know too!"
Garp glanced sideways at Taro. "Whether you're worthy of knowing, we'll see after I find out!"
"If you have nothing else to do, then get lost already. A Navy Grand Staff Officer running around everywhere—what kind of behavior is that!"
Taro immediately got anxious and stood up, moving closer to Garp.
"Don't be like that, old fellow. This is Makino's wedding; I must attend!"
Seeing Garp unmoved, he added another sentence,
"After the wedding, I plan to go to the Sakura Kingdom. If you want to come along..."
Garp suddenly turned his head and interrupted Taro with a serious expression,
"You're not allowed to go!"
"No, I'm not going to see Ace! I have other business..." Taro quickly waved his hands.
Only after Garp's expression softened slightly did he ask uneasily,
"old fellow, you're being so cautious and have been putting off seeing Ace—why is that exactly?"
Upon hearing this, Garp's Face turned grim.
"Not long ago, news spread through the Underworld—news that Ace isn't dead!"
"I'm afraid it won't be long before those old fellows in the World Government notice!"
Taro was startled, and his expression changed slightly.
"old fellow, this... I haven't told anyone..."
"What nonsense! Would I suspect you?" Garp barked.
Then, his voice lowered a bit.
"There are countless people in the world coveting the Mera Mera no Mi. After several months, it still hasn't reappeared, which is bound to raise suspicion!"
Hearing this, Taro's first thought was Donquixote Doflamingo!
Originally, according to the original plot, the Mera Mera no Mi would end up in Mingo's hands, which had actually puzzled Taro—how could there be such a coincidence?
Now that this information has leaked into the Underworld, Taro found it hard to believe that Mingo wasn't involved!
Damn it, I was still too polite to Mingo!
Garp noticed the change in Taro's expression and asked, "What are you thinking about now?"
Taro thought for a moment and put on a smile.
"Nothing, I'm just a bit surprised that you, old fellow, actually have connections in the Underworld!"
"You're asking for it! Do I need to get mixed up with those guys?" Garp raised his fist threateningly.
"I have my own information sources!"
Taro's intention was just to create a distraction, and he didn't plan to probe further; what he cared about was Mingo.
After his plans for the Mera Mera no Mi fell through, he set his sights on the Vampire Fruit.
What the hell is he trying to do?
If it's just for an arena prize, he could just find any other decent fruit; why go to such great lengths?
Judging from the fact that Mingo didn't give up even after being beaten half to death by Redfield, he is determined to get that Vampire Fruit.
There must be something fishy going on!
"You brat, you're not allowed to contact that Red Hair guy privately, do you hear me?"
Seeing Taro's thoughtful look, Garp issued a stern warning.
"Also, don't go to the Sakura Kingdom lately! The fact that Ace is there cannot be exposed for the time being!"
Taro was very reluctant and said seriously,
"Not contacting Red Hair is fine, but I really have other business in the Sakura Kingdom; I'm not going to see Ace!"
"I'm really not close to him!"
Garp frowned and stared at Taro for a long time.
"Without attracting attention?"
"Absolutely stealthy!"
"And no causing trouble?"
"I guarantee no trouble!"
Under Taro's repeated guarantees, Garp reluctantly agreed.
"Then set off immediately and come back quickly!"
Taro immediately beamed. "Okay... huh? You mean you want me to go right now?"
Garp raised an eyebrow. "What? You're unwilling?"
"No, it's just that Makino's wedding is the day after tomorrow, and I wanted to wait until it's over..." Taro hesitated.
"There's no time to lose. While the World Government still doesn't know about Ace being alive, your going might not attract attention."
Garp glared at Taro, then added with a look of suspicion,
"Those guarantees you just made—you weren't just humoring this old man, were you? You have the ability to fly; can't you make it back for the wedding in two days?"
With things said to this point, Taro could only lament that he was born to labor and couldn't rest at all!
"Fine, I'm leaving now!"
Taro curled his lips helplessly, walked a couple of steps, then turned back and asked.
"old fellow, do you have any words for Ace?"
Garp's Face twitched, and he lowered his head slightly, his tone unreadable.
"No. Just check on how he's doing for me! There's no need to meet him!"
Taro stared at Garp's Face for a moment and nodded solemnly.
"Okay, I understand!"
With that, his Internal Energy surged forth, transforming into a giant Falcon that soared into the sky.
Garp squinted as he watched Taro disappear into the clouds, muttering to himself.
"Ace, Luffy, Taro... our clan's mission will be realized in your generation, won't it?"
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